5 Most Scenic College Campuses Near Bay Area

Established in 1857, San Jose State University is the oldest public institution of higher education on the West Coast. Located just minutes from downtown San Jose, the 154-acre university features an evolving blend of architectural styles, including Spanish Revival, Romanesque and innovative modernist styles. The most significant building at San Jose State is the landmark Tower Hall, located in the heart of the campus and not far from the sculptures of two of San Jose State's most famous athletes, Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who are depicted in their iconic Black Power Salute at the memorable 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City just months before the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1968. Completed in 1910, Tower Hall is just one of four buildings remaining that were constructed after the 1906 Earthquake, including the adjoining Morris Dailey Auditorium and the nearby Washington Square Hall. However, the historic campus now is home to a number of notable contemporary buildings such as the Event Center, Campus Village and the dazzling Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, the largest university-municipal library in the country.

Santa Clara University
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA  95053
(408) 554-4000
www.scu.edu

With a history stretching back more than 150 years, Santa Clara University is the oldest operating institution of higher education in California. Founded in 1851, the private university lies on the original property of Mission Santa Clara, the first Spanish settlement in the Santa Clara Valley and the first of the California Missions to be named in honor of a woman — Claire of Assisi. Most of the modern buildings on the gorgeous 106-acre campus mirror the Mission Revival architecture of the church with tiled roofs, impressive archways and a matching shade of beige. Among the other notable buildings are St. Joseph's Hall, Vari Hall and the admission-free de Saisset Museum. Just recently, Santa Clara University was named the best among the 50 Most Beautiful Campus Quads by College Rank. Mission Santa Clara is the only California mission located on a university campus.

Stanford University
450 Serra Mall
Stanford, CA  94305
(650) 723-2300
www.stanford.edu

Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, Stanford University is one of the world's most prestigious teaching and research universities. Founded in 1885 in the memory of the only child of Leland Stanford Sr. and his wife Jane, Stanford University features a stunning collection of historical and contemporary buildings and structures, ranging from architectural styles like Richardsonian Romanesque, Spanish Colonial and Neoclassical. The most visible structure, and one of the Bay Area's most impressive landmarks, is the 285-foot Hoover Tower, built in 1941 to celebrate the university's 50th anniversary and named after Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States, the donor and a Stanford alumnus. Several other notable examples of landscaping and architecture grace Stanford University, including the magnificent main entrance on Palm Drive, Cantor Arts Center — with one of the world's largest collections of Auguste Rodin sculptures — and the non-denominational Stanford Memorial Church, acknowledged as the university's architectural crown jewel. Spread across 8,183 acres just minutes from the Birthplace of Silicon Valley, Stanford University has the largest contiguous campus in the country and second largest in the world.

University of California, Berkeley
101 Sproul Hall
Berkeley, CA  94720
(510) 642-6000
www.berkeley.edu

Although many of the original Beaux-Arts structures have long disappeared, UC Berkeley easily possesses one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. Founded in 1868, UC Berkeley is the oldest segment of the University of California system and consistently regarded as one of the world's leading public universities. Although the South Hall (1873) is the only remaining building, the 178-acre campus retains much of its original grandeur with several other magnificent buildings and structures such as Wheeler Hall, the Greek Theatre, Hearst Memorial Mining Building, and the iconic Sather Gate and Sather Tower, by far the most prominent structure on campus. At 307 feet tall, Sather Tower is the third tallest clock and bell tower (campanile) in the world and arguably the most familiar landmark in the East Bay.

University of California, Santa Cruz
1156 High St.
Santa Cruz, CA  95064
(831) 459-0111
www.ucsc.edu

Located in the foothills of the scenic Santa Cruz Mountains, UC Santa Cruz is arguably the most beautiful campus in the Bay Area. However, what shouldn't be up for debate is the fact that this beautiful campus, nestled among towering redwood trees, is among the most beautiful in the entire country. Founded in 1965, this breathtaking 2,000-acre campus also features spectacular views of the Monterey Bay and the beachside community of Santa Cruz from several vantage spots, along with 25 miles of hiking and bike trails, captivating wooden bridges and gorgeous modernist buildings like the McHenry Library, Science and Engineering Library, Theater Arts Center and the Academic Resources Center. UCSC is just minutes from Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park and the world famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, California's oldest surviving amusement park and consistently named the world's best seaside amusement park.